Top 10: Museums Of The World

Number 3

The British Museum, London, UK

Founded in 1753, The British Museum is now one of the greatest museums in the world. With its large collection of ancient art from all points of the compass (it houses seven million artifacts, four million of which are on display), it attracts more than six million visitors each year. If you can't make it to the Egyptian Museum, you can view the largest and most comprehensive collection of ancient Egyptian material outside Cairo, right here.

Main attraction: The magnificent domed grandeur of the Reading Room, which was recently restored and now contains a modern information center.

Number 2

The Vatican Museums, Vatican City, Italy

The impressive Vatican Museums contain 22 separate collections, ranging from Etruscan and Egyptian art to maps and modern religious art. Even if you aren't religious in the least, you will undoubtedly be blown away by the sheer beauty and grandeur of Michelangelo's dome and Bernini's spiral columns.

Main attraction: The renowned Sistine Chapel and Raphael Rooms are not to be missed.

Number 1

Le Louvre, Paris, France

Without a doubt the most famous museum in the world, the Louvre was a medieval fortress and the palace of the kings of France before it became a museum two centuries ago. Even the modernization of the plaza with the addition of a glass pyramid in its centre takes nothing away from the historical allure of the Louvre Palace. The museum's collections, which range from the birth of the great antique civilizations to the first half of the 19th century, are among the most important on the planet. You will find pieces by some of the most famous artists in history, such as da Vinci and Rembrandt.

Main attraction: The famed Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

Honorable Mention:

The Guggenheim, Bilbao, Spain

Although there are branches of the Guggenheim in New York, Las Vegas, Berlin, and Venice, the one in Bilbao takes the cake in terms of architecture. Designed by North American architect Frank O. Gehry, it is the most significant museum design of the late 20th century. The sinuous stone, glass and titanium curves represent an amazing construction feat as well as a truly distinctive design. Oh yeah, and there's some art in there, too. The permanent collection is composed of works of modern and contemporary art by some of the most significant artists of the second half of the 21st century, such as Andy Warhol.

Main attraction: The building itself.

a slice of history...

Even if you aren't the most "artsy" person in the world, these museums are definitely worth a visit. If you feel overwhelmed by the size of some of these institutions, pick the rooms or collections that interest you most. Try to forget those seemingly endless grade school trips to your local museum; if you stick to what you really want to see, you'll surely find the experience quite enriching.